2nd Match – Karachi Kings vs Quetta Gladiators

Imad Wasim won the toss and elected to bat first against Quetta Gladiators in their first contest of Pakistan Super League’s third edition. Imad Wasim was confident at the squad with Shahid Afridi at his corner. Whereas, Sarfraz Ahmed also stated that he would have liked to bowl first anyway, so it was kind of a win-win situation for both the teams.

You cannot keep Shahid Afridi out of picture, and that was once again proved as the bubbly allrounder pulled off a sensational catch and took one wicket to help Karachi Kings pull off their first win over Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League at Dubai stadium on Friday.

Quetta, runners-up in both the editions of the PSL, had beaten Karachi kings by eigth, five, seven and six wickets respectively in four PSL matches todate but just like former captain turned politician Imran Khan stresses, “Tabeeli agayee,” and it became the case for Karachi Kings.

Karachi finally won by 19 runs as Quetta finished at 130-9 in their 20 overs.

Defending a modest 150-run target Karachi Kings needed wickets to pull off a winning start to the third edition and they did exactly what the analysts had summed up. Skipper Imad Wasim (2-19) chipped in with key wickets of Asad Shafiq (two) and Rilee Rossouw (18) to push Quetta on the back foot at 45-4.

Then, much to the joy of crowd, Afridi came into acts. He dismissed Quetta skipper leg before for seven and then sent a dangerous Umar Amin (31) back with a stunning catch. Amin had hoisted pacer Mohammad Irfan to long-on where Afridi jumed high and took a right handed catch, realizing that he could go out of the ground he threw the ball up and completed the catch by re-entering the ground.

The catch made the crowd as well as the Karachi Kings entourage in the royal box ecstatic.

But Karachi Kings still had to fight hard to finish the game as Mohammad Nawaz (30 off 20 balls with three fours and a six) and Hasan Khan gave them a scare through a 43-run seventh wicket stand. Amir finished with xxx

Tymal Mills (2-27) and Mohammad Irfan (2-36) also chipped in with useful wickets.

Karachi Kings, who won the toss and batted, could not pile up a big total.

Colin Ingram hit a fast 21-ball 41 with five boundaries and two sixes but Karachi Kings hard hitters like Shahid Afridi and Imad Wasim failed to give the impetus to the innings. Only 38 were added in the last five overs with Afridi making only four and Imad two.

Karachi Kings were off to a good start of 34 as both Khurram Manzoor (39-ball 35) and Joe Denly (14) were stedy. Denly was unlucky to get out after showing hint of acceleration.

Twenty20 cricket’s top batsman Babar Azam did disappoint as he never looked in command, scoring 10 off 12 balls before edging Rahat Ali behind the wicket.

Khurram and Ingram did pace up the innings, adding 26 for the third wicket as Karachi were 111 after 15 overs. Khurram holed out after managing just two boundaries. Ingram hit five boundaries and two sixes.